Thursday, April 10
Air Force band ensemble to perform
The Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble of the United States Air Force will perform several free Arkansas concerts. On April 10 at 7:30 p.m., the band will perform at the University of Arkansas at Monticello UAM Fine Arts Center in Monticello as part of UAM Jazz Week.
All concerts are free and open to the public. Tickets are required. Request tickets and see dates, times and other locations for concerts at afbandtix.org. The show is approximately 75 minutes.
Through Friday, April 11
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
WH club sets ‘Egg My Yard’ Fundraiser
The White Hall High School JROTC Booster Club is hosting its “Egg My Yard” fundraiser. Booster Club volunteers will secretly deliver and scatter eggs in participants’ yards the night of April 19, in time for Easter morning. If it rains, eggs will be bagged and left at the front door.
All proceeds support the White Hall High School JROTC program, helping fund leadership development, competitions, and other cadet enrichment opportunities. Egg packages include a personalized Easter Bunny Note and Candy-Filled Eggs: 24 eggs – $32; 50 eggs – $55; 60 eggs – $62; and 100 eggs – $80. The order deadline is April 11 or once the club reaches 100 participating homes. To order, visit https://egg-my-yard-97749.cheddarup.com . Payment Options: Pay at checkout or via CashApp: $Jessapersons. For questions, email whitehalljrotcboosterclub@gmail.com or contact Jessica Persons: (870) 718-3382 or Tabatha Reeves: (870) 510-5641.
Knights host fish fry Fridays
The Knights of Columbus annual Lenten Fish Fry is being held from 5-7 p.m. every Friday in March and the first two weeks of April at St. Joseph Catholic Church, West Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street. People can eat in for the all-you-can-eat dinner or get carry-out plates, according to a news release. Dinners for adults are $16 and $10 for children.
Beginning Friday, April 11
Canaan announces women’s conference
Sheryl Banks Ministries, in conjunction with Canaan Christian Center, 7890 Middle Warren Road, will present the 2025 Women’s Conference “Empowerment” April 11-12. At 7 p.m. April 11, host Sheryl Banks, executive pastor of Canaan, will speak. This is an open session and everyone is invited to attend services at the church. The conference continues at 9 a.m. April 12 with a women only service. Guest speakers include Ernestine Thomas, a pastor of Turning Point Ministries in Stuttgart; Sheilar Hatton-Bone, an apostle of Eagle Saints Ministries International in Little Rock; and Renee Warner, prophetess, and Roslyn Burks-Adams, an elder, both of Canaan. Zatoria Curry, a psalmist of Little Rock, will sing. A luncheon will be served at noon April 12 at the Wilma Anderson Building, 4701 Dollarway Road. Registration is $40 and covers the cost of the luncheon. To register, visit here. Details: Yolunda Johnson at (870) 534-7378.
Saturday, April 12
Pilgrim pantry to give away food
Raven’s Nest Food Pantry at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Hill St., will give away food April 12 from 8-9:30 a.m. or until all the food has been distributed. Food will be given away on a first come, first-served basis. Participants must bring a picture identification. The program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture distribution site and an equal opportunity provider, according to a news release.
Area Agency sets bass tourney April 12
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will conduct is 27th annual Reeling for Meals Bass Tournament April 12 at Regional Park – Arkansas River. The tournament will be held from “safe light” to 3 p.m. The entry fee is $110 per boat and includes the $500 Big Bass. A $2,500 cash prize is guaranteed to first place. Guaranteed cash to the top 10 places. There’s a $15 late fee for pay at the ramp. Entry fee includes two tickets to the fish fry hosted by King Kat at the Waterfront building. Beverages by M.K. Distributors Inc. The first 75 teams to register will receive T-shirts, donated by Arkansas Printing. The presenting platinum sponsors are Foster Towing, Midtown Tire & Auto, and Simmons Bank. Details: Area Agency on Aging, (870) 543-6300 or sstichert@aaasea.org or lbland@aaasea.org or www.aaasea.org.
Ms. Madkin’s Literacy Class set
Ages 3-6 are invited to Ms. Madkin’s Literacy Class: Come Read, Sing, Dance, and Play with Me! from noon to 1 p.m. April 12, at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. Melanie Madkin of Ms. Madkin’s Literacy Program aims to foster a love of the world of literacy in a quiet and nurturing environment with this monthly event. The program is free. Register by April 8 at artx3.org/all-events/literacy-april-2025 or call (870) 536-3375. For more information, contact Bethany Gere, theater and public programs coordinator, at bgere@artx3.org or call the center.
Pleasant Grove sets health fair
Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1801 S. Indiana St., will host a free Women’s Conference community health fair from 9 a.m. to noon April 12. The guest speaker will be Kanisher Wooten Caldwell, nurse practitioner. There will be diabetic and cholesterol screenings, blood pressure checks, diet and exercise routines, breast cancer awareness, prostate health and other information, according to a flier.
Behavioral center sets awards dinner
Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System will present its first Mental Health Advocacy Awards Dinner at the Pine Bluff Country Club at 6 p.m. April 12. The program will honor leading mental health advocates from the five Arkansas counties served by SABHS, according to a news release. Honorees are Noel “Bud” Bryant, Kymara Seals, Judge B. Park Eldridge Jr., Britt Talent, Misti Douthit, Felicia Cobb. The dinner will be prepared by award-winning executive Chef Jamie McAfee and his staff. The gala is also planned as a recurring annual fundraiser, according to the release. Tickets are $100 each. Sponsorships are Gold, $5,000; Silver, $2,500; and Bronze, $1,000. Each level includes a designated number of tickets. Details: https://sabhs.org/m-dinner.html.
White Hall plans Easter Egg Hunt
White Hall Chamber of Commerce will host an Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. April 12 in White Hall City Park. It will be fun for all ages, according to https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHallChamber/ The event will include games, prizes, bike giveaways, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and candy. The event is free.
Beginning Monday, April 14
UAM offers $500 scholarship at event
The University of Arkansas at Monticello will hold a priority registration event for fall 2025 classes April 14-15 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for new first-time freshman students and new transfer students.
This event is for those who plan to attend UAM’s Monticello campus, the UAM College of Technology-Crossett (UAM-CTC) or the UAM College of Technology-McGehee (UAM-CTM). New freshmen and new transfer students will receive a $500 scholarship if they register for fall 2025 classes during this priority event and attend UAM’s campuses in the fall 2025 semester. Terms and conditions may apply, according to a news release.
Students must RSVP by April 9 to reserve a time to register for classes. In-person registration is required. An RSVP link is available at https://www.uamont.edu/admissions/recruitment.html. Details: UAM Admissions Office at admissionsoffice@uamont.edu or (870) 460-1026.
Tuesday, April 15
Third Ward meeting set
The Third Ward Community Watch Meeting will be held at 6 p.m. April 15 at Destiny Worship Center, 4700 W. 28th Ave. All Third Ward residents are encouraged to attend, according to Kenneth Gray, president.
Beginning Tuesday, April 15
WH school district sets art show
The White Hall School District Art Department will present: “The Earth without ART is Just EH,” a student artwork showcase, at the White Hall Community Center. Opening night will be held April 15 from 5-7 p.m. Art will be on display April 16-17 during the center’s business hours and closing at 2 p.m. April 17, according to https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHallCC/ “Join us in celebrating the creativity and talent of our students! You will not want to miss this showcase,” a spokesman said.
Through Wednesday, April 16
Westerman announces art contest
U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) announced the annual Congressional Art Competition for 2025 is open to receive entries from high school students across the Fourth District of Arkansas.
Entries are to be submitted in person by April 16. An appointment is recommended to drop off artwork at any of the following District Offices: Pine Bluff – 211 W Third Ave., Ste. 245, Pine Bluff; Hot Springs – 101 Reserve St., Ste. 200, Hot Springs; El Dorado – 101 N. Washington Ave., Ste. 406, El Dorado; and Russellville – 500 W. Main St., Ste. 110, Russellville.
Winners will be announced the week of April 21. Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by congressmen, according to a news release. The rules, checklist, and release form for the competition can be found on House.gov.
Thursday, April 17
Christian Women’s luncheon set
The Christian Women’s Connection will host its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 17 at the Pine Bluff Country Club.
Everyone is invited to attend.
The speaker will be Laura Singleton of Bella Vista discussing “Remember Her?” Singleton relates the times in her life when she looked back yearning for what was in the past, according to a news release.
“As a young widow with two children, her sense of adventure led her to the man who would later become her husband. More importantly, Jeff would show Laura the way to a personal relationship with Jesus. She gives a very clear presentation of the Gospel,” according to the release.
The luncheon costs $20, which includes the meal, drink, dessert, tax, and gratuity. For reservations or cancellations, call Jennifer Keahey at (870) 540-9302. All reservations must be made three days in advance. You will be charged for reservations not kept.